Episode 31: Featuring Whitaker Construction’s John Sather and Kraemer Mining & Materials’ Cody Ladd

The 2024 year-end episode of “Drilling Deeper” welcomes in two leaders from the aggregate industry’s producer ranks: John Sather, vice president of aggregates at Utah-based Whitaker Construction; and Cody Ladd, president and COO of Minnesota-based Kraemer Mining & Materials. Sather discusses a variety of topics during his visit, including the regulatory environment, solutions to workforce challenges, Whitaker Construction’s ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) model, and what’s driving construction materials demand in Salt Lake City. Ladd, meanwhile, touches on how Kraemer Mining & Materials fared in 2024, as well as the role inclement weather plays in aggregates. Additionally, Ladd discusses the positive pricing momentum the industry has experienced in the last couple of years, as well as the rate of growth that he sees as the most sustainable.